APRIL 3, 2018

APRIL 2, 2018

The Securities and Exchange Commission charges two co-founders of Centra Tech Inc with orchestrating a fraudulent initial coin offering. The ICO raised more than $32 million from thousands of investors.

The SEC charges Michael Liberty, founder of fintech startup Mozido Inc, with creating a scheme to defraud investors and misappropriate funds. The SEC accuses Liberty of bilking investors out of $55 million by getting them to invest in shell companies.

MARCH 27, 2018

William Galvin, the top securities regulator for Massachusetts, orders five ICOs to halt token sales for their unregistered securities. The five ICOs include Mattervest Inc, Pink Ribbon ICO, Across Platforms Inc, Sparkco Inc and 18 Moons.

MARCH 13, 2018

The Korea Times reports South Korean financial authorities are preparing a plan to allow ICOs and digital token-based fundraising activities for domestic investors.

MARCH 9, 2018

The Attorney General of South Carolina sends a cease-and-desist order to Genesis Mining, one of the largest cryptocurrency mining firms, to stop all operations within the state.

The Praetorian Group registers with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a security. This appears to be the first ICO to register tokens with the SEC.

MARCH 7, 2018

The US Securities and Exchange Commission releases a public statement with considerations for investors and market participants operating online trading platforms. The statement advises investors to use platforms registered with the SEC and orders entities trading in securities to register as an exchange.

MARCH 6, 2018

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) publishes a letter dated February 18, 2018 to Senator Ron Wyden, answering a request sent to the agency on December 14, 2017. The letter states FinCEN is working closely with the SEC to enforce AML/CFT obligations of businesses engaged in ICOs.

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

The Wall Street Journal reports the SEC has issued dozens of subpoenas and information requests to tech companies and advisors involved with cryptocurrencies.

FEBRUARY 27, 2018

FEBRUARY 26, 2018

The Texas State Securities Board issues an emergency cease-and-desist order to leadinvest.net for not registering with the securities commissioner, among other state violations.

The Israeli Supreme Court issues a temporary injunction forbidding Bank Leumi from closing the bank account of Bits of Gold, a cryptocurrency trading and exchange company.

FEBRUARY 19, 2018

The Israeli Tax Authority announces a plan to classify cryptocurrencies as property rather than currency for tax purposes. The agency looks to impose VAT on ICOs.

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

The SEC suspends trading in three companies involved with cryptocurrency. The SEC’s orders state there are questions regarding the nature of the business operations for Cherubim Interests Inc (CHIT), PDX Partners INC (PDXP) and Victura Construction Group (VICT).

FEBRUARY 12, 2018

The Central Bank of Thailand bans banks from dealing in cryptocurrency, investing or trading cryptocurrency, or offering cryptocurrency exchanges. The central bank noted cryptocurrencies are not legal tender and banned banks from allowing credit cards to be used to purchase digital currencies.

The Russian Ministry of Communications updates ICO licensing rules. New regulations require token issuing organizations to have authorized capital of 100 million rubles, proper licensing and accreditation for issuing tokens.

European Supervisory Authority issues warning to customers of the high risks of ICO investments. The warning is given by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA).

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

Gibraltar announces there will be forthcoming regulations for initial coin offerings. Gibraltar is the first country in the world to propose ICO rules.

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission warns investors of the potential risks of dealing with cryptocurrency exchanges and investing in ICOs.

China discusses plans to tighten ICO oversight at the 2018 work conference of the Internet Finance Association.

FEBRUARY 5, 2018

China bans all forms of activity related to digital currencies. The ban is poised to tighten regulations on domestic investors’ participation in oversea transactions.

FEBRUARY 4, 2018

The United Arab Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) issues an investor warning about ICO investment and token-based fundraising. The SCA reiterates that it does not offer regulatory protection.

JANUARY 28, 2018

The Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission says it will craft rules to regulate cryptocurrencies to protect investors and reduce the risk of fraud.

JANUARY 24, 2018

Lawmakers in Wyoming propose a new bill to exempt blockchain token developers and sellers from securities and money transmission laws.

JANUARY 23, 2018

South Korea announces new rules for local cryptocurrency exchanges. The change in policy ends anonymous cryptocurrency trading and requires transactions to be traceable.

JANUARY 21, 2018

Many of the top banks in India suspend accounts of major bitcoin exchanges, suspecting a large number of dubious transactions. The banks are reportedly seeking additional collateral from exchange promoters and are capping cash withdrawals from accounts that are still operational.

JANUARY 19, 2018

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) files a federal civil enforcement action against Patrick K. McDonnell and his company CabbageTech Corp, d/b/a Coin Drop Markets. The parties are charged with fraud and misappropriation of cryptocurrency purchases and trading.

Bank Indonesia and the Indonesian National Police partner to prevent cryptocurrency transactions in Bali. The central bank previously declared cryptocurrencies an illegal form of payment and noted they will enforce penalties for non-Rupiah transactions.

JANUARY 10, 2018

The Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission release public warning about the risks involved with ICO investing.

Switzerland creates a Blockchain Taskforce to establish an ICO code of conduct and create a framework for companies using blockchain technology.

JANUARY 8, 2018

ICO code of conduct and core values released by the Swiss Crypto Valley Association.

JANUARY 4, 2018

The NASAA cautions investors about ICO and cryptocurrency investment through a press release.

DECEMBER 21, 2017

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) freezes assets of unregistered funds and accuse them of administering a $1.2 billion ponzi scheme by targeting Main Street investors.

MARCH 2015

Q4 2015

A partnership between Ethereum, Monetas, MME, and the Zug Economic Development Office leads to the development of the Crypto Valley Association in the Canton of Zug.

JULY 2013

Initial coin offerings are born when Mastercoin launches the first ICO in history.

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